Banana Nut Shortcake

Active Time: 25 MinsTotal Time1 Hour 45 Mins
Yield: Serves 12

Strawberries may be the favorite fruit to top a shortcake, but we think you will love this tropical twist on the springtime favorite. Instead of making a loaf of banana bread, try these surprising Banana Nut Shortcakes. Leftover buttermilk biscuits, sliced, toasted, and topped with jam, make for a great breakfast the next day.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups bananas, sliced (from 3 to 4 bananas)
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface and kneading
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1 1/2 cups whole buttermilk
  • 2 cups plus 2 Tbsp. cold heavy cream, divided
  • 1 tablespoon sanding sugar (or coarse sugar)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1vanilla bean pod, split
  • 3 tablespoons shredded sweetened coconut, toasted
  • 3 tablespoons toasted, chopped pecans

How to Make It

Step 1

Preheat oven to 425°F. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender (or use fingertips) until mixture resembles peas. Add buttermilk, and stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until well combined and shaggy. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface, and knead gently until dough just comes together, 2 to 3 times. Pat dough with lightly floured palms to 1 1/2-inch thickness (do not use a rolling pin). Cut out biscuits using a 2 1/2-inch round cutter, gathering and patting scraps once more to make 12 biscuits.

Step 2

Place biscuits about 2 inches apart on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Brush tops of biscuits with 2 tablespoons of the heavy cream; sprinkle with sanding sugar. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Cool on baking sheet 10 minutes.

Step 3

Place powdered sugar in bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Scrape vanilla bean seeds into powdered sugar; add remaining 2 cups heavy cream. Beat on medium speed until soft peaks form, 4 to 5 minutes.

Step 4

Split biscuits; place on plates or a large platter. Dollop whipped cream onto bottom halves of biscuits. Arrange sliced bananas on top of whipped cream and sprinkle with coconut and pecans. Cover with biscuit tops.

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